'Scotty' Is Dead; James Doohan, an 'Engineer,' Had Radio Roots Too

He was an actor, but everyone knew him as a chief engineer. Now Scotty is dead. Actor James Doohan died early today (Wednesday), CNN reports. Doohan played Montgomery Scott on the TV series "Star Trek" and in subsequent motion pictures. He was 85. CNN quoted his agent as saying the cause of death was pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease. According to the Star Trek Web site, the Canadian-born actor served in the Normandy invasion. "After returning home to Canada, Doohan performed a few scenes for the local radio station, and was awarded a two-year scholarship to the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City," it said. "In the ensuing eight years, Doohan shuttled between New York and Canada where he worked on 4000 radio programs, 400 live and taped variety and dramatic television shows, several films and plays." Eventually he made it to Hollywood and wider fame via TV's "Star Trek," on which he was cast in 1966.